Tag: bioplastic
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New biodegradable plastic decays in a compost bin in a couple of years but it is expensive
Group of scientists at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). Lithuania have created biodegradable plastic, which decays in a compost bin in a couple of years. Bioplastic created at KTU is transparent and all the materials in its composition are suitable for contact with food. Globally, the amount of plastic produced in a year is roughly…
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Combining natural rubber with bioplastic in a novel way results in a much stronger replacement for plastic
New biodegradable ‘plastic’ is tough, flexible The quest to keep plastic out of landfills and simultaneously satisfy the needs of the food industry is filled with obstacles. A biodegradable replacement for petroleum-based products has to meet all sorts of standards and, so far, attempts at viable replacements from renewable sources have faced limited success due…
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Eggshell nanoparticles could lead to expanded use of bioplastic in packaging materials
Eggshells are both marvels and afterthoughts. Placed on end, they are as strong as the arches supporting ancient Roman aqueducts. Yet they readily crack in the middle, and once that happens, we discard them without a second thought. But now scientists report that adding tiny shards of eggshell to bioplastic could create a first-of-its-kind biodegradable…
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Water heals a bioplastic
A drop of water self-heals a multiphase polymer derived from the genetic code of squid ring teeth, which may someday extend the life of medical implants, fiber-optic cables and other hard to repair in place objects, according to an international team of researchers. “What’s unique about this plastic is the ability to stick itself back…
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Bioplastic – greener than ever
Polylactic acid is a degradable plastic used mostly for packaging. To meet the rising demand, ETH researchers have developed an eco-friendly process to make large amounts of lactic acid from glycerol, a waste by-product in the production of biodiesel. Plastic waste is one of today’s major environmental concerns. Most types of plastic do not biodegrade…
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Turning waste from rice, parsley and other foods into biodegradable plastic
Your chairs, synthetic rugs and plastic bags could one day be made out of cocoa, rice and vegetable waste rather than petroleum, scientists are now reporting. The novel process they developed and their results, which could help the world deal with its agricultural and plastic waste problems, appear in the ACS journal Macromolecules. Athanassia Athanassiou,…
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Can Plastic be Made from Algae?
Algae are an interesting natural resource because they proliferate quickly. They are not impinging on food production. And they need nothing but sunlight and a bit of waste water to grow on. Scientists working for theSPLASH research project, funded by the EU, are now addressing the challenge of making high-quality, affordable plastics from algae. They need to…
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Seaweed Insulation
For many coastal dwellers, seaweed washed up on the shore is nothing but a nuisance. But this raw material has proven itself capable of keeping buildings well insulated. Together with industry partners, researchers have succeeded in turning it into insulation. Throughout fall, winter and spring, Mediterranean beaches are littered with little balls of seaweed leaves…
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Waste cooking oil makes bioplastics cheaper
The disposal of used plastics – which are largely non-biodegradable – is a major environmental issue. ‘Bioplastics‘ that are naturally synthesized by microbes could be made commercially viable by using waste cooking oil as a starting material. This would reduce environmental contamination and also give high-quality plastics suitable for medical implants, according to…
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Plastic from Plants
Image via Wikipedia Is It an Environmental Boon or Bane? More than 2.5 billion plastic bottles—partially made from plants—are already in use around the world in a bid to replace petroleum as the fundamental building block of everyday plastics. The so-calledPlantBottle from the Coca-Cola Co. is made by converting sugars from sugarcane farmed in Brazil into…
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NEC goes nuts to create new bioplastic
Image via Wikipedia NEC has announced the development of a new biomass-based plastic produced by bonding non-edible cellulose with cardanol, a primary component of cashew nut shells. The new bioplastic is said to achieve a level of durability that is suitable for use in electronic equipment and boasts a high plant composition ratio of more…